Chapter 12

The plump matron withdrew her hand. Since the madam had said nothing, she dared not act on her own, so she tucked her hand back into her sleeve and walked away with her head held high.

Madam Zhang stared at Xiao Wanling in disbelief. She had dared to refuse someone from the Prince of Jin’s household and hadn’t been punished for it! A thousand thoughts flashed through her mind. Any ordinary person faced with such pressure would’ve been terrified, yet Xiao Wanling had remained calm and composed.

But Xiao Wanling had no idea who or what the Prince of Jin’s residence was. She simply believed that as long as she did her job well, she had every right to be paid fairly.

She went back to the guest room for a nap and then headed out to buy ingredients.

Passing by a fabric shop, she stepped in. A bolt of silk cost a full tael of silver, so she bought the cheapest: a roll of pure white fine cotton cloth for 500 cents, planning to dye it herself later.

She bought fresh river shrimp, the polished rice needed for rice noodle rolls, and a bamboo steamer.

Lastly, she spent twenty taels to place an order for bricks and tiles before returning to the Zhang Residence.

The maid, unable to find Xiao Wanling, had worked herself into a panic. When she saw her, she rushed forward. “Chef! Where did you go?”

Xiao Wanling entered through the side door, and the two old women guarding it beamed at her. “Ah, you’re finally back!”

Madam Zhang let out a sigh of relief. “The honored guest specifically requested a late-night snack made by you.”

Xiao Wanling looked up at the sky, and it was nearly dark, probably around seven in the evening.

Seeing Madam Zhang so anxious, Xiao Wanling immediately washed her hands and unpacked the ingredients from her basket.

Madam Zhang stood outside the kitchen with her maid. The maid whispered, “Miss, do you really not want to help?”

“No need.” But even as she said that, Madam Zhang craned her neck to peek inside the small kitchen.

From the window, shadows flickered, and she could see Xiao Wanling kneading dough. Fifteen minutes later, the kitchen door opened.

Xiao Wanling emerged carrying a basket of steaming hot shrimp dumplings. The translucent wrappers revealed the bright red filling inside; just looking at them stirred the appetite.

Madam Zhang swallowed hard and instructed the maid to personally deliver them to the guest. Noticing steam still rising from the pot, she smiled and asked, “Are you prepping tomorrow’s tea snacks?”

Xiao Wanling replied, “Yes. I made two extra shrimp dumplings. Sister Zhang, come and try them.”

Madam Zhang’s eyes lit up. She entered the kitchen and closed the door behind her.

The delicate plate held shrimp dumplings. Beside it sat two small wine cups filled with a dark brown dipping sauce.

Curious, Madam Zhang asked, “What’s this?”

Xiao Wanling passed her the sauce and a pair of chopsticks. “It’s to drizzle over the food for tomorrow. Try it and see if the flavor needs adjusting.”

The sauce was made from freshly cleaned small fish, river shrimp, and crab, simmered with spices to eliminate any fishy odor. Since seafood was hard to find in Jin City, other ingredients were used as substitutes.

Following Xiao Wanling’s example, Madam Zhang poured the sauce over the dumpling and took a bite. Her eyes widened. “Thin skin, plump filling, so fresh!”

The filling was made of fresh shrimp and minced pork. Each bite had a nice shrimp texture. After finishing the whole plate, she still wasn’t satisfied.

Xiao Wanling took a bamboo scraper and headed to the stove, scraping the steamed rice noodle rolls from the bamboo tray. The white rice rolls were topped with minced meat and egg, then drizzled with sauce. She served them with crisp, slightly spicy diced radish.

Madam Zhang took a bite and was momentarily speechless. It was just too delicious.

Xiao Wanling asked quietly, “How’s the flavor?”

Madam Zhang swallowed. “Excellent!” Tomorrow was sure to amaze the guests. When her maid came to fetch her, she hurriedly left.

Xiao Wanling locked up the small kitchen. Once she finished tomorrow, she could finally go home. She wondered how things were going with the Dayan Village orders.

On the third day, just as Xiao Wanling finished washing up, maid Chunzhi’s voice came from outside. “Madam Xiao, my lady sent river shrimp, eggs, and fresh meat. Shall we deliver them to the kitchen?”

Xiao Wanling held the kitchen key. She quickly got ready and accompanied Chunzhi to the kitchen.

Maids and older servants were already waiting at the kitchen door, baskets hanging from their arms.

There were live shrimp, very fresh-looking pork, and a whole basket of native chicken eggs, rice, flour, fruits, and more.

Xiao Wanling opened the door, and the maids and servants placed everything inside and quietly left.

Chunzhi bowed. “Madam Xiao, if you need anything, just call me!” With a wave of her hand, she led the others away.

Xiao Wanling closed the door and opened the windows. She poured the live shrimp into fresh water.

Delivering ingredients this early clearly meant they were expecting breakfast. Seeing leftover chicken broth from yesterday, she made chicken noodle soup—adding golden fried eggs, blanched seasonal greens, and a sprinkle of wild garlic. It was ready in fifteen minutes.

Opening the door, she saw Chunzhi in the courtyard. Two maids followed behind her. They took the chicken noodles and hurried off.

After breakfast, Xiao Wanling washed her hands, rolled up her sleeves, and began prepping the tea snacks.

She boiled tea on the small stoves, diced the fruit, then crushed the remaining fruit into juice using a medicinal mortar. She filtered out the pulp through a clean cloth, added the juice to cooled tea, and pear tea was ready.

After chilling it in well water, the tea was served to the guests. Beads of condensation formed on the cups.

Madam Zhang could barely keep her lips from curving into a grin. She used a round fan to cover her face. “Ladies, sisters, please try this appetite-whetting tea first!”

“This tea has a distinct pear flavor! It blends perfectly with the tea.”

“I never knew tea could be enjoyed this way. Just looking at it lifts the mood; this is exactly my taste.”

Madam Zhang said, “This is snow pear tea. Don’t judge it just yet—more teas are coming!”

At that, the guests grew excited. Could there really be something even better than the past two days?

The Zhang family spared no effort in sourcing ingredients. So, Xiao Wanling requested milk.

She began experimenting with what she had. Her first attempt at ginger milk curd was a success. The milk pudding wasn’t firm enough at first, so she adjusted the proportions until it set just right, making over ten servings.

She called Chunzhi to deliver the milk puddings, then closed the door to prepare fillings for the rice noodle rolls—minced meat, eggs, and fresh shrimp.

Madam Ji, after tasting the ginger milk curd, exclaimed, “So silky and refreshing!” And it has that subtle milk aroma. It’s so delightful!”

Madam Zhang quickly bowed and accepted the reward pouch with both hands. Inside were golden beans, melon seeds, little fish, and leaves that are likely around two taels’ worth of gold. She immediately tried to kneel in thanks.

Madam Ji raised her hand. “Just some trinkets! Madam Zhang, you’re amazing. And this chef of yours, she’s amazing too!” She straightened her gown and looked toward the door.

Madam Zhang saw a maid approaching and gave Chunzhi a look to follow. Together, they presented the milk pudding.

Madam Ji examined it curiously. “So clear and glossy, just looking at it is a joy!” She took a spoonful. The mild sweetness and smooth and elastic texture—despite all the delicacies she’d eaten in her life, this was a first. She couldn’t even describe it and raised her hand. “Excellent! Ladies, do try this!”

Next came tea infused with rich milk flavor, followed by rice noodle rolls. The white rolls were layered and topped with egg, minced meat, shrimp, and a brown sauce. Everyone immediately picked up their chopsticks.

Madam Zhang introduced, “These are egg rice rolls, meat rice rolls, and shrimp rice rolls!”

As expected, more small trinkets and rewards followed. Han Shuyi, her longtime rival, was so furious she could hardly maintain her poise.

Feeling unwell, Han Shuyi excused herself and left. After tonight, Ruyi Pavilion would surely outshine Hongyun Restaurant. And as if rubbing salt in the wound, Madam Zhang called after her, “Sister Shuyi, what surprises will your tea party have?”

On the carriage, Han Shuyi gripped her maid’s hand tightly. “Have you found out who that chef is? We need to bring her over now!”

The trusted maid replied, “Miss, she’s just a tea picker. Her identity was planted by Madam Zhang. Word is spreading that even Madam Ji is asking about her!”

Who would dare compete with Madam Ji?

Han Shuyi shoved the maid away in frustration. “That wretch got lucky. Follow her in secret. The moment she slips up and offends Madam Ji, report her immediately!”

…

As the tea party dispersed, Madam Zhang hurried to find Xiao Wanling. Chunzhi was nearly in tears. “Young Master Shen took her away! We couldn’t stop him!”

She remembered how he’d picked up one of the old maids with one hand; her legs were still trembling from the memory.

Madam Zhang was regretful. She had hoped to convince Xiao Wanling to stay. But with Shen Qing blocking the way and being owed two favors by him, it might be for the best. Surely Han Shuyi would go after her now. Time to sit back and enjoy the show.

Suddenly, two of Madam Ji’s maids appeared, startling Madam Zhang into speechlessness.

They glanced into the kitchen and, not finding Xiao Wanling, asked, “Where is the chef?” She is requested at the Prince of Jin’s residence.”

Madam Zhang bowed deeply. “Madam Xiao doesn’t live in the city. Her family has already come and taken her away.” The Prince of Jin’s residence wanted her? That was like a pie falling from the sky.

The two maids exchanged glances, nodded, and left.

Madam Zhang leaned on Chunzhi’s hand for support, patting her own chest with the other. She had to pass this message along and ask Sister Xiao what she wanted to do next.

…

The old yellow ox had a red string tied around its neck, with a bell that jingled softly as it walked down the mountain path.

Xiao Wanling, completely relaxed, leaned back against the basket and closed her eyes for a rest.

Shen Qing glanced back at her, lips curled in a smile. The oxcart slowed, and the ox leisurely munched on roadside grass.

As they reached the foot of Shen Family Mountain, the path turned uphill. Xiao Wanling jolted awake with the cart’s motion. By moonlight, she saw the winding mountain trail now reached all the way to the wooden hut halfway up.

Her eyes widened. The path had changed in just a day.

Shen Qing scratched his head sheepishly. “The steward brought people to help fix it.”

Xiao Wanling replied, “They worked hard. Thank you!”

Shen Qing grinned, showing off a set of white teeth. “As long as you like it!”

The old ox trudged up the slope. Xiao Wanling quickly held onto the basket and the new clay jars. Shen Qing reached over and grabbed her wrist. “Careful!”

They finally arrived at the house. The vegetable garden by the door now had seedlings planted, surrounded by a bamboo fence, making it a real yard.

Xiao Wanling cleared her throat, finding her voice again. “You’re amazing!”

Shen Qing couldn’t stop smiling as she’d praised him several times along the way.

Inside the house, the bamboo bed had been moved next to the window. The wooden bed held two brand-new sets of bedding. The table now had a teapot and cups. In the corner were a new washstand, a vanity table, and a bronze mirror.

On the pillow lay a set of aqua green clothes, a wooden hairpin, and by the bed—a pair of slate-blue embroidered shoes.

It was clearly a room prepared for her. Warmth surged in Xiao Wanling’s chest. “Shen Qing, thank you!”

She pulled out the clothes she’d bought for him, a rust-red crossed-collar robe with black trim at the collar and cuffs. The moment she saw it, she knew it suited him.

Shen Qing held the new robe with both hands, unable to stop admiring it. “I’ll wear it once the weather gets cooler!”

Xiao Wanling smiled. “Mm! You’ve had a long day, so go rest early. I’ll tidy up.”

Suddenly, a voice came from outside. “Is this the Shen residence? Is Madam Xiao here?”

Shen Qing’s face changed. He turned quickly to look at Xiao Wanling.

T’s Food Notes:

Hot Shrimp Dumplings:

Steamed Rice Noodle Rolls:

Chicken Noodle Soup:

Snow Pear Tea:

Ginger Milk Curd:

Egg Rice Rolls:

Meat Rice Rolls :

Shrimp Rice Rolls: